Naema Celestine 
Faith Nyongesa
In response to the confirmed cases of Mpox in Kenya, the government is significantly boosting its efforts to tackle the outbreak. Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary for Public Health, announced these enhanced measures during a recent visit to Kajiado County.
The country is intensifying its screening and response protocols, particularly at entry points, to prevent further spread of the virus.The Ministry of Health has unveiled a comprehensive National Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan designed to address the outbreak within Kenya.
This plan also aims to mitigate the risk of Mpox cases being imported from neighboring countries, including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda.The response plan is structured into three tiers: local, regional, and national. The total budget allocated for these efforts is Ksh.6.7 billion.
At the local level, Ksh.1.7 billion will be used to support community surveillance, health worker training, provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitation efforts, and the establishment of temporary isolation facilities.Regional efforts, which will cover up to five counties, are allocated Ksh.2.3 billion.
A significant portion of this funding is earmarked for health worker training, ensuring that personnel are well-prepared to handle Mpox cases effectively.At the national level, covering more than five counties, Ksh.2.6 billion will be invested.
This funding will be used for various purposes, including health worker training, contact tracing, infection control measures, and laboratory support to enhance the overall response to the outbreak.
The plan emphasizes the importance of a coordinated approach across all levels of response. Local measures will focus on immediate community-level interventions, while regional and national efforts will provide broader support and resources.
The allocation of funds highlights the government’s commitment to addressing the Mpox outbreak comprehensively. By investing in training, surveillance, and infrastructure, Kenya aims to control the spread of the virus and protect public health.
Overall, the National Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan represents a strategic and multi-faceted approach to managing the current outbreak and preventing future cases.
